Chicago Cityscapes

“Dynamic” is the word that best relates my intentions when depicting Chicago. It began with the first impressions, drawings of the city dating back to 1991, and continues to this day. The traditions of Russian Constructivism movement, Bauhaus and the International school have greatly influenced my work.

John Hancock Building. Chicago, 2000, print on paper

Adams Street, 2003, oil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches

Downtown Chicago Harbor, 2001 print on paper

Downtown Winnetka., 1995 oil on canvas, 31 x 43 inches

Sculpture of a Hare near John Hancock. Chicago 2001

print on paper

Evanston Masonic Temple, 1992 oil on canvas, 25 x 32 inches

Illinois street. Chicago, 1999 oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches

Illustrations for James Joyce "Ulysses"

My illustrations for James Joyce Ulysses follow compositional principles of the "Inner Monologue" developed by Sergei Eisenstein and later used in many of his films. It is through the study of Eisenstein's work that I found a pictoral language suitable to express 'stream of consciousness' writing in Ulysses.

Still Lifes

The paintings span several decades of work, with the medium ranging from oil and acrylic on canvas to watercolors. I often come back to the subject of flowers for inspiration.

Pears on china plate, 2004, oil on canvas, 16 x 20 in

Golden section - Square Root of 2, 1976, oil on canvas, 22 x 32 in

Yellow Roses, 2003 oil on canvas, 30 x 24 in

Still life with the plaster hand, 2001, oil on canvas, 24 x 30 in

Orchids, 2005 water color on paper, 30 x 22 in

Flowers with the mask, 2004 oil on canvas, 40 x 30 in

Lilies, 1997 acrylic on canvas, 40 x 30 in

Lilacs in the glass vase, 2005 oil on canvas, 40 x 30 in

Artist's paints, 2005 gouache on paper, 20 x 26 in

Figure Drawing

Some of the early figure studies are student drawings, while later works, using chalk and watercolor were created during live model sessions at the Noyes Art Center in Evanston and Palette and Chisel Academy in Chicago.

Chicago Sketches

ISBN 978-1-937484-07-1

by Richard Reeder

Illustrations by Leonid Osseny

Many of us carry vignettes of our lives…

………………………………………………………..

Finally, I have a confession to make. I begin reading a book today just as I did when I was in first grade. I start by looking at all the pictures (if there are any). Pictures are windows into the written text as well as visions beyond it. Leonid Osseny’s illustrations in this book are a wonderful example of this. Once these illusrations have captured you, as they did me, the written words seem to take on additional meanings. Enjoy!

-From the Foreword by Charles R. Middleton

President, Roosevelt University, Chicago IL.

Walt Whitman Illustrations

Posters for Sergei Eisenstein

Posters for exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago June 2007

Sculpture

A series of terracotta sculptures created for the exhibition Red Square on Dearborn. Palette and Chisel Art Academy exhibition space, Chicago. May, 2014